Marcus to make waves with Water Spirit
ANTON MARCUS will be the focus of much punter attention at Kenilworth tomorrow when he jets in for only one ride, newcomer Water Spirit in the TAB Telebet Maiden.
The four-time champion has been on the crest of a wave since his return from a broken wrist and, in addition to that inspired ride in the July, he has won on half his 12 mounts this season.
Indeed he had a 22% strike rate at Kenilworth last term when punters found his trademark Cape Town ride – fast away and going to the front much further out than the local jockeys - particularly rewarding.
Ridgemont
True, the Markus Jooste days are no more but Ridgemont (his latest retainer) also have some cracking good horses and the bookmakers had no hesitation in opening Water Spirit as a favourite.
This Jackson filly is out of a half-sister to SA Classic winner Divine Jury and was sold by Highlands under the name of Mermaid’s Delight at the Cape Premier Yearling Sale in January last year shortly after Wayne Kieswetter had purchased the stud. She was knocked down to Brett Crawford for a cool R2 million.
She is obviously smart and expected to run a big race – Marcus would hardly be coming down to ride her if this was just a quiet introductory run – and Crawford commented yesterday: “I won’t say I expect her to win but I think she can be competitive. She is doing very well at home and has put up some good work. She is looking for more ground but she won’t need the run from a fitness point of view – it’s more how she breaks and whether she is green.”
But this is a strong maiden and she may not beat Vomandla. The Andre Nel filly finished fast on debut and failed by only a short head to catch Durty Nelly with Juniper Spring (fifth in the Fillies Nursery) franking the form in third. She promptly went into the Winning Ways notebook with James Goodman predicting: “She should absolutely doddle it next time.”
Greg Cheyne’s mount is 3-1 second favourite with World Sports Betting which has the Snaith runner Fortune Flies on 7-2, Joey Ramsden’s six-month absent Au Revoir at 5-1 and the Vaughan Marshall contender Fluttering on 11-2.
Bunker Hunt
Winning Ways also tipped Bunker Hunt as one to follow and Richard Fourie’s mount is 6-10 for the Tabonline Maiden. He should win but he is no certainty as he was ridden right to the line on debut and may not improve as much as most horses having their second run.
All The Sevens, good enough to run in the Langerman, can make his experience tell in the first while Tevez may recoup last time’s losses in the Pinnacle.
Michael Clower is on a roll. His selections at the last six Cape Town meetings are showing a profit of R232.60 to a R10 level stake and seven of his last ten tips have won.